Category: Tourism

48 hours in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, thanks to Ovation Global DMC (www.ovationdmc.com) gave me a taste of this city’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) offering. If I had only one word to describe the city of Prague, it would have to be captivating. My love for Prague was instantaneous.

MICE Activity Appeal

To get a true feeling of Prague, I recommend walking in the company of an expert guide. There is no better way to get an orientation of the city, soak in the most captivating architecture and get a flavour of the city. While there are plenty of people in the city, the streets have a calmness about them that I really enjoyed.

The Vltava River runs through Prague and provides the opportunity to enjoy a river cruise or for the more adventurous, enjoy the river and incredible views of Prague by kayak.

World famous for its beer, a MICE programme in Prague is not complete without spending time in one of its many beer halls and decide for yourself if the Czech Republic is home to the world’s best beer! Match this up with some hearty food and you are going to feel like someone is giving you a big warm hug! Why not combine two of my favourite things while there; Beer and Spa! Or perhaps zipping through the city in a Trabant car is more your thing!

Prague is a super location when shopping for locally produced goods. I particularly enjoyed the store, Manufaktura, full of Czech made products and great options for room amenities for your next programme in Prague. If glass and crystal are your thing, you are definitely in the right place. You could even organise a glass workshop with local artist, Antonin Manto, one of the leading Czech glass artists. Ovation Czech Republic are the ones in the know when it comes to activities and all the latest shopping hotspots.

MICE Hotel Appeal

What struck me most about Prague’s hotel scene is that the hotels can be grouped into very distinct categories, in my opinion. You have your trio of luxury boutique style hotels for your high end top tier meeting and incentive programmes; The Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental and what was my personal favourite during my visit, The Augustine, A Luxury Collection Hotel. The Augustine is a series of 7 buildings dating back to the 13th century comprising of 101 rooms including 20 suites. 5 monks still live on site and a very special experience is to have the monks guide you through the library, there is a beautiful internal garden as well as the Brewery, a great vaulted space for group events where you can enjoy St. Thomas Beer, brewed by the monks since the 14th century. With a total of 5 meeting spaces in addition to its 101 rooms, an ideal group size for this hotel is 50 rooms / 100pax. One observation to note is that a 19seater mini-coach is the largest vehicle that can drive directly up to the entrance but this logistical detail is minor when compared to what awaits once you check-in.

Mandarin Oriental, Prague, is an understated slice of luxury in the city of Prague and is housed within a former 14th century monastery. With 99 rooms including 20 suites, an ideal group size for this hotel is between 50-60 rooms per night / 100-120pax.

I loved the room style here complete with either stunning parquet floors (my preference) or carpet. Their meeting and event spaces are superb with the ballroom accommodating up to 120pax. The Spa is housed within the former chapel and the Spa entrance showcases original artefacts discovered during the archaeological dig of the site. There is a summer terrace off the main restaurant accommodating 120pax and a wonderful wine cellar ideal for private dining for up to 17 guests. Word of warning however, WI-FI is provided at a fee and standard guest rooms do not have tea/coffee making facilities. Despite this, the experience Mandarin Oriental, Prague, delivers to its group guests is very special and while there I got to see a magnificent welcome amenity being delivered to guest bedrooms made of chocolate by their expert pastry team and it looked so good, I wanted to eat it there and then!

The Four Seasons is the largest of this trio of luxury hotels with 157 rooms across 4 buildings with 3 of these buildings dating back to the 18th century. I loved the florals in this hotel and they have an intimate lobby lounge oozing sophistication. The room product here is excellent complete with chandelier lighting and Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze bathroom amenities. Event space is located 1 level below the lobby and the ballroom comes complete with an outdoor terrace with wonderful views due to the hotel’s enviable location by the river and the Charles Bridge. Their Spa, which is 1 year old, is a key selling point for this hotel with 5 treatment rooms, lounge area and vitality pool and a stunning couples suite. The restaurant adds a modern feel to the overall hotel and serves up contemporary Italian fare – I loved the atmosphere in the restaurant and it was not what I would have expected from the hotel so was a pleasant surprise for me.

The next distinct category for me are the premium mid-sized hotels; Prague Marriott Hotel and Hilton Prague Old Town, located directly opposite each other. Out of these 2 hotels, my preference is Hilton Prague Old Town. This hotel offers 303 rooms with rooms slated to be renovated in Q1 2018 – watch this space. 14 meeting spaces means this hotel has great flexibility for meeting groups and they allow group signage in lobby. The main space accommodates 150pax classroom style. Their restaurant, in an Art Deco style, can seat up to 200 group guests and is located just off the lobby. The hotel provides a health centre with a swimming pool and compact gym, sauna, and 2 treatment rooms. Swimming pool benefits from natural daylight. Guests booked in Executive Rooms, have access to the Executive Lounge, which is very spacious and has a lovely view of the city. This hotel surprised me in a positive way and is certainly worth considering for your next meeting in Prague. The Prague Marriott Hotel provides 293 rooms, which were renovated in 2016, event space is located on the 1st floor, due to be renovated in 2018, and with 11 event spaces in total, the hotel offers great flexibility for meeting groups.

The Intercontinental Prague often divides opinion due to its Brutalist architectural style and respect for the original stylings when it first opened in the 1970’s. In my personal opinion, I loved it but acknowledge that it won’t be to everyone’s taste. With 372 sleeping rooms and extensive event space, an ideal group size for this hotel is.

200 rooms / 200pax for meet and feed events. The hotel’s location is incredible, at the edge of the Jewish Quarter at the end of Paris Street, which is lined with designer shops. Added benefit to this hotel is the 150 seater Rooftop Restaurant. This hotel has decades of experience welcoming VIP guests and this is reflected in the service levels experienced during my visit.

We then have The Big 2: The Corinthia Hotel with 539 rooms and 25 event spaces and The Hilton Prague with 791 rooms and 38 meeting spaces. These two hotels, in my opinion, are positioned perfectly for larger conferences and events and rubber stamp Prague’s popularity for international meetings, conferences and events. Yet again, another Hilton hotel surprised me in a positive way and in particular, I loved their Cloud 9 Rooftop Terrace and fitness facilities.

MICE Venue Appeal

From beer halls to palaces, Prague is in the enviable position of having a broad range of world class venues to make your next MICE programme the most memorable. My personal favourite is The Žofín Palace, with 4 exquisite event spaces with The Large Hall accommodating up to 800 guests for gala dinner events. The Municipal House should be on your offsite event space radar too. In the art nouveau style, this venue of great historical importance, was the location where, in 1918, the independence of Czechoslovakia was proclaimed.

Prague – A Fairy-tale

As I walked the streets of Prague, its architectural beauty made me feel like I was in a fairy-tale. Prague creates lifelong memories making it an ideal destination for a MICE programme. As I strolled across The Charles Bridge, I just had to stop and soak it in and realise how lucky I was to be there and to experience everything that had been showcased to me during my 48 hours visit. The people are friendly, outgoing and there is a quirkiness there that I haven’t seen in many other places. Prague – you’re Picture Postcard Perfect.

Stay In Touch

Keep up to speed on my MICE travels on Twitter @VeryKLC and Instagram @veryklc. Contact me directly at ken@klc.ie if you have any questions on my MICE travels or need support in sourcing your next international MICE programme via my DMC partners.

Notes

KL Communications was hosted by its partner, Ovation Czech Republic, the leading Prague based destination management company, and part of Ovation Global DMC.

KL Communications

KL Communications is a Dublin based interaction design studio specialising in branding, communications and sales. With a background in business tourism, Ken Lyons brings a fresh approach to B2B sales. To further expand the agency offering, the collaboration with Paul Condron, Creative Strategist, brings a dynamic approach to how businesses embrace creativity. By adopting a Brand Publishing mindset to communications partnered with a commitment to company culture alignment, KL Communications collaborates with businesses to transform their branding and communications activities.

48 hours in Madrid, Spain’s Capital, thanks to Ovation Global DMC (www.ovationdmc.com)gave me a taste of this city’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) offering. When Spain is under consideration as a MICE destination, Madrid is often overlooked in favour of other locations within the country but after my visit, I don’t understand why this is the case. I also sense that this is about change. In essence, Madrid is the “new” Spanish destination. Madrid is well connected internationally via the Barajas International Airport making it logistically attractive for global MICE programmes and once you get there, WOW.

MICE Activity Appeal

It is impossible not to talk about food when talking about Madrid. Food is just in the Madrid DNA and for MICE visitors, food can and should become an integral part of any programme. From tapas trails to superb dine around programmes and outstanding cuisine at exclusive venues, you could literally spend your entire stay in Madrid simply eating!

On arrival into Madrid, organising a city orientation walking tour to give you a sense of this magical city ensuring attendees are energised and excited for their Madrid MICE experience is recommended and Ovation Spain works with the finest guides in the city. Whether your city tour is on foot, by bicycle, Segway, GoCar or motor coach, a stop at the Buen Retiro Park, a stunning park in the city, is an absolute must. You could even participate in a little boating on the lake if your heart desires. Whilst here, some food and beverage refreshments at Florida Park is recommended. Soaking up the atmosphere in Mercado de San Miguel, a bustling covered food market , originally built in 1916, is a great place for groups to get a taste of Madrid’s incredible food culture. Dining at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid, is such a culinary treat and a wonderful experience for any football fan and on my visit, the restaurant, Puerta 57, was so atmospheric with food that certainly did not disappoint.

The museum scene in Madrid is world class and offering a museum focused experience is highly recommended. Whether spending time at the Prado, hanging out in the Thyssen-Bornemisza or visiting the Reina Sofia, your attendees will get their museum fix without hassle in Madrid.

Madrid is full of interesting “barrios” (neighbourhoods) including Barrio de Las Letras, where Cervantes was born. Architecturally speaking, Madrid is a fascinating city and you could simply spend all day soaking up the various architectural styles present in the city. A visit to The Royal Palace of Madrid is highly memorable and make it more special by renting a street level terrace of a nearby restaurant for coffee and refreshments.

Minutes from Madrid

Minutes from Madrid is how I like to describe the incredible opportunities to explore UNESCO World Heritage sites in close proximity to Madrid on a day trip as part of your MICE programme. The city of Toledo, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive monumental and cultural heritage can be reached within 50 minutes. Just 60 minutes from Madrid is El Escorial and in 1984 UNESCO declared The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo of El Escorial a world heritage site. Or visit the spectacular city of Segovia, just 70 minutes away and home to the Roman Aqueduct and Old City, both designated as world heritage sites by UNESCO. Take time out and enjoy some “cochinillo asado” (roast suckling pig) while in Segovia, the signature local dish. A 75 minute transfer will take you to Ávila, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1985 and often referred to as The Town of Stones and Saints featuring complete and prominent medieval town walls in the Romanesque style. Now that’s quite the choice!

MICE Hotel Appeal

The hotel scene is heating up in Madrid with lots of new hotel developments in the pipeline. One of the most exciting of these is the opening of The Four Seasons in central Madrid, opposite the Casino de Madrid. Word on the street says it is due to open in 2019 but nothing confirmed as of yet. The Ritz Madrid, an iconic hotel in the city of Madrid, dates back to 1910, has 162 sleeping rooms and is due to close for renovations under the stewardship of Mandarin Oriental. I loved my time at The Ritz Madrid, but as renovation dates are not yet confirmed, it is difficult to consider it for groups right now but I imagine, once reopened, it will be a major player once again on the luxury hotel scene in Madrid. Watch this space.

Leading Hotels of The World has a strong presence in the city and I had the pleasure of visiting 3 of their hotels while there. My personal favourite is the Gran Melia Palacio de Los Duques, where references to Spain’s rich art heritage can be seen at every turn. With 180 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, an ideal group size for this hotel is between 40 – 60 rooms per night, double occupancy. Additional features that I loved where the Clarins products in the bathrooms, a gorgeous Rooftop Terrace with swimming pool and an internal garden providing a lovely outdoor space for groups. It’s sister hotel, the Gran Melia Fenix has a more traditional style and offers 193 rooms with an ideal group size being 70 rooms per night, double occupancy. During my visit the AS Roma Football Team where there so there was a great buzz around the lobby with media etc. Their executive style lounge and terrace for their Level guests is a nice way to enhance your hotel experience there. Villa Magna is located on the exclusive Paseo de la Castellana and can accommodate an ideal group size of 40 rooms per night, double occupancy. It has 150 sleeping rooms in total with 9 meeting rooms and during my visit the fitness facilities were being renovated. Last sleeping room renovations took place in 2009. It is one of the most in demand hotels in the city, which is reflected in the rates. Rooms are spacious starting at 322square feet and very well appointed in a traditional style. The hotel also features an excellent selection of suites and Villa Magna was the first hotel I have visited where they have shower scent capsules, which release your selected scent directly into the water coming from the shower head!

Overall, Melia Hotels has a strong presence in the Madrid market with 21 hotels across 4 brands, two of which, outlined above, are part of Leading Hotels of The World and are the two hotels that would be of most interest to MICE buyers from Canada and the United States. I’ll definitely plan to visit their ME Hotel with Rooftop Terrace overlooking Plaza Santa Ana on my next visit. The NH Collection Casa Suencia Hotel with 123 rooms, Rooftop Terrace and Secret Bar, appeals to a younger clientele and I very much enjoyed my time there.

Looking at the bigger 5 star hotels, I had the opportunity to visit The Intercontinental and The Westin Palace. The Intercontinental was a hive of activity as a Head of State event was taking place during my visit. With 302 sleeping rooms, of which they have 35 suites including 3 Presidential Suites and 92 Club Level rooms plus 15 meeting rooms with natural daylight, The Intercontinental is very popular for groups and they can provide a lot of flexibility on group sizes too. The Westin Palace has 470 rooms and with rooms currently under renovation on a phased basis with completion due by end of 2018, this is an excellent time to be sourcing the hotel for 2019 programmes onwards. I liked the lighter style of the renovated rooms, which mark a big departure from the original style. The flexibility of their 20 meeting rooms make this an excellent choice for larger groups and is located in an ideal part of the city. With an appealing breakfast space, a Japanese restaurant and a Museum Bar, the hotel also represents a great space to simply hang out in.

MICE Venue Appeal

If you can drag yourself away from your hotel or group activities, Madrid has a superb collection of offsite venues for welcome receptions, gala dinners and restaurant dine arounds. Ramses is a gastronomic venue, designed by Philippe Starck and overlooking Puerta de Alcalá. It has a range of spaces spread over 4 floors, suitable for groups including Nomad House, a private apartment style space on the top floor of this venue. Food concept is Mediterranean with international influences and the areas within the venue can be used privately or non-privately dependent on group numbers and requirements. An event at the Madrid Stock Exchange makes for a memorable experience and is within walking distance of The Westin Palace Hotel. You can take your group to a casual night at a Finca, a rural estate, too for something outside the city that is casual in nature.. My stand out venues in Madrid, however, are the Casino de Madrid, Galería de Cristal and Circulo de Bellas Artes. For something more contemportary and completely flexible, I really enjoyed Palacio de Neptuno.

Madrid – Mi Amor!

My time in Madrid reignited my love of this city and I am excited about its future developments and its growing appeal as a MICE destination.

Stay In Touch

Keep up to speed on my MICE travels on Twitter @VeryKLC and Instagram @veryklc and look out for future travel posts on Prague in the coming weeks. Contact me directly at ken@klc.ie if you have any questions on my MICE travels or need support in sourcing your next international MICE programme via my DMC partners.

Notes

KL Communications was hosted by its partner, Ovation Spain, the leading Madrid based destination management company, and part of Ovation Global DMC.

KL Communications

KL Communications is a Dublin based interaction design studio specialising in branding, communications and sales. With a background in business tourism, Ken Lyons brings a fresh approach to B2B sales. To further expand the agency offering, the collaboration with Paul Condron, Creative Strategist, brings a dynamic approach to how businesses embrace creativity. By adopting a Brand Publishing mindset to communications partnered with a commitment to company culture alignment, KL Communications collaborates with businesses to transform their branding and communications activities.

48 hours in Berlin, Germany’s Capital, thanks to Ovation Global DMC (www.ovationdmc.com) gave me a taste of this fascinating city’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) offering. Berlin is recognised as one of the best quality to value capital cities in Europe making it an excellent location for MICE programmes. Currently served by two airports – Schoenefeld and Tegel, Berlin is due (after an uncharacteristic lengthy delay) to get a new airport in 2019 – the Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Upon arrival at Tegel Airport and after a quick transfer taking 15 – 30 minutes, I found myself in the centre of Berlin, a city with two city centres.

MICE Activity Appeal

Berlin just has IT. Diversity, edginess, living history, accommodations, nightlife, dining, retail, culture and so much more. Looking for an original incentive or a post meeting or conference activity, opt for an Underground Tour educating participants on the lengths Berliners went to trying to get from East to West via tunnels during the Berlin Wall era – fascinating stuff. Get a sense of the city whilst testing your driving skills by participating on a Trabe self -drive city tour. I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Release your inner graffiti artist by joining a graffiti themed team building activity. You could even participate on such an activity at Teufelsberg, a former US listening station located on a hill made of rubble. Need your museum fix? Choose from over 180 museums in the city. Retail therapy can be found along Berlin’s 5th Avenue – Kurfuerstendamm Strasse. A visit to the Kaufhaus des Westtens (KaDaWe) with over 60,000sq metres of retail space will not disappoint or simply go exploring to get a taste of the city’s independent retail scene.

MICE Hotel Appeal

Despite their excellent price point, Berlin hotels do not compromise on quality. Many of the city’s most well-known 5 star hotels are located within short distances of each other providing flexibility when dealing with larger groups. From independently owned hotels like The Palace with 280 bedrooms to internationally recognised brands like the Waldorf Astoria with 232 bedrooms, Berlin has an excellent offering. The Pullman Hotel by Accor definitely appeals to a more contemporary audience with LED lights in the lobby, chill out spaces on guestroom corridors, CO Bigelow bathroom amenities and 377 bedrooms and suites plus 18 meeting spaces. The Intercontinental is an excellent option for larger groups with 558 rooms and 45 meeting spaces whilst The Regent, a former Four Seasons Hotel, is a suitable choice for smaller groups with 195 bedrooms. The Jewel in the Berlin crown has to be the Hotel Adlon Kempinski, a member of Leading Hotels of The World. This iconic hotel did not disappoint. The hotels offers 385 bedrooms, which are exceptionally well appointed, a superb choice of suites including 3 Presidential Suites, the largest spa in Berlin

by La Prarie and sublime dining including a phenomenal champagne buffet breakfast to get your day off to a great start! Unrivalled views over The Brandenburg Gate make this an exceptional option for your next MICE programme. Visit their wonderful boutiques including Krigler for your fragrance fix or get your coffee and cake energy boost at their excellent on site coffee shop, which happens to be less expensive than the nearby Starbucks!

MICE Food and Beverage Appeal

Berliners are really their own distinctive group of people. They have a laid back approach to life, are friendly, fun and open and are effortlessly cool! This can be seen in their incredible food and beverage scene. The city boasts 21 Michelin starred restaurants, provides laid back options ideal for group dine arounds, many choices to eat and drink well by the water or simply pick up a Currywurst from one of many food stalls peppered throughout the city. Enjoy this wonderful food offering with a local beer, wine, Sekt (German sparkling wine) or a sublime Gin & Tonic – whatever tickles your taste buds. A delightful lunch was enjoyed at Katerschmaus, a waterside restaurant with casual interiors, beautiful terrace and open plan kitchen. Fresh local ingredients combined in a creative manner (pan fried veal with smoked trout cream anyone?) makes this an excellent choice for inclusion on a dine around schedule or used on an exclusive basis. With more atmosphere than you can shake a stick at, Neni, the Rooftop Restaurant at 25 Hours Bikini Hotel provides a memorable dining experience with some of the best hummus and falafel I have ever eaten.

MICE Venue Appeal

One thing that really stood out to me during my 48 hours in Berlin is the number of venues that are available for MICE programs. From classic options including museums and galleries, historical buildings to a more industrial style, Berlin is one huge event location! How about a team building activity recording your own song or an evening food and beverage event at The Meistersaal where artists including David Bowie, U2 and Depeche Mode have recorded some of their most famous songs? Take over a Market Hall in the city centre and create a special and casual evening dinner space, I was truly impressed with the options available to MICE professionals.

Berlin – You have my Heart

I fell in love with Berlin during these 48 hours. This is a city that needs to be experienced by MICE professionals. A city with its own special identity, a history that locals want to share with visitors, an energy that is infectious, hospitality that is unique to Berlin and an infrastructure that supports the hosting of the most memorable MICE programmes. I am already planning my next visit.

Stay In Touch

Keep up to speed on my MICE travels on Twitter @VeryKLC and Instagram @veryklc and look out for future travel posts on Madrid and Prague in the coming weeks. Contact me directly at ken@klc.ie if you have any questions on my MICE travels or need support in sourcing your next international MICE programme via my DMC partners.

Notes

KL Communications was hosted by its partner, Ovation Germany, the leading Berlin based destination management company, and part of Ovation Global DMC.

KL Communications

KL Communications is a Dublin based interaction design studio specialising in branding, communications and sales. With a background in business tourism, Ken Lyons brings a fresh approach to B2B sales. To further expand the agency offering, the collaboration with Paul Condron, Creative Strategist, brings a dynamic approach to how businesses embrace creativity. By adopting a Brand Publishing mindset to communications partnered with a commitment to company culture alignment, KL Communications collaborates with businesses to transform their branding and communications activities.

While attending a recent tourism workshop, an attendee posed the question; how do we deal with “tourism fatigue”? The attendee was referring to a destinations’ ability to maintain high standards of customer service provided to tourists as tourist numbers grow.

Do I believe “tourism fatigue” exists? If I look at my homeland of Ireland, it is clear that tourism fatigue exists as frontline employees within the tourism industry struggle to maintain their friendly and engaging customer service that they have become so well known for. Yet it is this customer service and interaction that sets Ireland apart from many of its competitors. There is no quick fix to this but there are a number of actions that can be taken to help alleviate “tourism fatigue”.

Ensure tourism and hospitality is perceived as an attractive industry where people can carve out a successful long term career to our students. This involves strengthening links between industry and academia, providing training programmes of the highest standards during a person’s time in education in addition to showcasing examples of long term career successes within the tourism industry. This makes for a strong starting point;

Invest in training and development – if tourism businesses invest in training and development to match the standards found in other industries, it would go a long way in ensuring that professional customer service is delivered on a consistent basis. I fear that currently this is not the case and as the industry gets busier, the implications of this lack of investment becomes clear;

Recognition – recognising those working on the frontline within the tourism industry as service professionals who are key to the industry’s success will instil pride in employees and motivate them to deliver exceptional customer service consistently;

Resource accordingly – if your business is getting busier, surely it is time to invest in more talent to ensure you are capable of handling the increased business volumes and creating a business that is sustainable in the long term;

On a final note, it is critical to continuously highlight the importance of the tourism industry to the economy at large and emphasise the role that the nation’s citizens play in ensuring a positive tourism experience is delivered and that tourism continues to be an integral and sustainable contributor to the economy. After all, it did contribute over €8 billion to the Irish economy in 2016!

KL Communications

KL Communications is a Dublin based interaction design studio specialising in branding, communications and sales. With a background in business tourism, Ken Lyons brings a fresh approach to B2B sales. To further expand the agency offering, the collaboration with Paul Condron, Creative Strategist, brings a dynamic approach to how businesses embrace creativity. By adopting a Brand Publishing mindset to communications partnered with a commitment to company culture alignment, KL Communications collaborates with businesses to transform their branding and communications activities.